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Germany Warns of Russian Disinformation Ahead of State Elections

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German security sources say Russia has intensified disinformation campaigns ahead of next month’s state elections, with online content reportedly targeting political rivals of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Authorities believe the campaign aims to deepen political divisions and undermine Germany’s governing parties, including the CDU, SPD, Greens, and FDP.

German officials said the operation, known as the “Matryoshka” campaign, spreads fabricated videos on social media using the branding of well-known news organisations to make false allegations against politicians. While the Interior Ministry says the campaign has not gained significant online traction, it continues to monitor the situation closely, calling it a serious threat.

Russia’s embassy in Berlin rejected the accusations, describing them as “anti-Russian hysteria” and denying any interference in Germany’s internal affairs. German security officials, however, maintain that the campaign is centrally coordinated from Russia, adding that the country remains alert to foreign influence attempts ahead of the elections.

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Pressure Grows on German Chancellor Merz After Cabinet Reshuffle

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing growing political pressure after a cabinet reshuffle triggered internal divisions within his conservative CDU/CSU alliance. Lawmakers are set to vote on his nomination of Thorsten Frei as parliamentary faction leader, with the outcome expected to be closely watched as a measure of support for Merz’s leadership.

The reshuffle follows the resignation of senior party figure Jens Spahn and comes as Merz’s government struggles with declining public approval. Recent opinion polls show the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) leading national support, while Merz’s personal approval ratings have fallen sharply. The AfD has also overtaken the conservatives on voters’ perceptions of competence, increasing pressure ahead of key state elections in September.

Further criticism emerged after changes to the cabinet angered members of Merz’s own party, including regional leaders and ministers who said they were not properly consulted. Despite the backlash, Merz has expressed confidence that tensions will ease before parliament reconvenes in September, as his government focuses on advancing economic reforms and countering the AfD’s growing influence.

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Berlin Pride Attack Suspect Killed

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The man suspected of carrying out the deadly attack at Berlin Pride has been shot and killed during a police operation in the Spandau district of the German capital. Authorities said the 21-year-old suspect allegedly rushed at officers with a knife, prompting police to open fire. The attack, which involved a vehicle being driven into a crowd followed by a stabbing, left one woman dead and at least 29 others injured.

German officials said evidence suggests the incident was likely an Islamist terrorist attack. According to prosecutors, the suspect had a criminal record and had previously been convicted for preparing a serious act of violence endangering the state. Investigators also said he had traveled to Lebanon in 2025, where he allegedly attempted to establish links with the Islamic State group.

Following the attack, Germany announced heightened security measures and increased the national threat level. Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the scene, pledging to protect the country’s freedom and openness while condemning extremism. Members of Berlin’s LGBTQ+ community later gathered at the Brandenburg Gate to honor the victims and reaffirm their commitment to celebrating Pride despite the tragedy.

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German Palliative Care Doctor Sentenced to Life for Murdering 15 Patients

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A German court has sentenced a 41-year-old palliative care doctor to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of murdering 15 patients between September 2021 and July 2024. The victims, aged between 25 and 94, were seriously ill but were not considered to be at immediate risk of death. Prosecutors said the doctor administered lethal doses of medication without the patients’ consent and, in some cases, allegedly set fires to conceal the crimes.

During the year-long trial, the doctor admitted to killing 12 patients, claiming he believed he was ending their suffering. However, relatives of the victims rejected that justification, telling the court that their loved ones still had plans for the future and wanted to continue living. The court described his crimes as particularly serious and imposed a lifetime ban on practising medicine, along with preventive detention after his prison term.

Authorities are now investigating 76 additional suspected cases, raising the possibility that the convicted doctor could become one of Germany’s most prolific serial killers if more charges are proven. Prosecutors believe the confirmed murders may represent only a fraction of the alleged crimes.

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German Police Crack Down on Neo-Nazi Youth Groups

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German police have carried out coordinated raids across the country targeting suspected members of far-right criminal youth groups. More than 600 officers searched around 50 properties in 12 states, including Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, and Saxony. The operation focused on individuals linked to emerging extremist networks, though no arrests were made during the raids.

Prosecutors say the suspects are associated with groups known as “Jung & Stark” (Young and Strong) and “Deutsche Jugend Voran” (Forward German Youth). Authorities allege these groups have used social media platforms to organize violence, forming nationwide networks and encouraging attacks against political opponents and others they targeted. Victims in past incidents were reportedly beaten by multiple attackers and suffered serious injuries.

The raids come amid growing concern over the rise of far-right radicalisation among young people in Germany. Experts warn that these groups, often made up of teenagers and young adults, operate openly online to recruit members and promote militant ideologies. Unlike broader political movements, these networks are said to focus on direct action, including street violence and coordinated assaults.

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German Farm Gives Away Millions of Potatoes After Record Harvest

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A German farm in the eastern state of Saxony has begun giving away millions of potatoes for free after a bumper harvest left the market oversupplied. Dubbed “the great potato rescue,” the initiative aims to prevent around four million kilograms of surplus potatoes from going to waste. Since mid-January, truckloads of potatoes have been transported to Berlin, where residents, food banks, schools and churches have benefited from the giveaway.

Germany, the European Union’s largest potato producer, saw last year’s harvest saturate the market, prompting Osterland Agrar to seek alternatives after a customer contract was cancelled. Partnering with the Berliner Morgenpost newspaper and eco-search engine Ecosia, organisers said the project was about highlighting the value of potatoes as food rather than discarding them. The farm has already distributed about 500,000kg across Germany and Ukraine and can store the remaining stock until mid-year.

The campaign has not been without controversy. The Brandenburg Farmers’ Association criticised the initiative as a “disgusting PR stunt,” warning it could disrupt local markets and devalue food. Despite mixed reactions, the potato giveaway has drawn widespread attention, reflecting Germany’s long-standing culinary love for the humble tuber. Funding for the Berlin operation is now running low, with only one more delivery expected once weather conditions improve.

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Ukraine–US Ceasefire Talks Continue in Berlin as Washington Signals Progress

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Ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and the United States continued for a second day in Berlin, with Washington saying “a lot of progress was made.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and chief negotiator Rustem Umerov held extended talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, joined by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Nato’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, also attended, while more European leaders are expected to join later discussions.

Zelensky indicated he was ready to give up Ukraine’s ambition to join Nato in exchange for strong security guarantees similar to Nato’s Article 5 mutual defence clause, calling it a significant compromise. The talks centre on a 20-point Ukrainian peace proposal aimed at countering an earlier US plan seen as favouring Russia. While details remain undisclosed, Kyiv says the plan would form the basis for reconstruction and long-term security assurances.

Discussions also touched on sensitive territorial issues, including the Donbas region, where Zelensky said Ukraine could consider freezing the conflict along current front lines but would not withdraw troops unless Russia did the same. Any agreement reached by Ukraine, the US and Europe would still need to be presented to Moscow, which continues to oppose Nato membership for Kyiv. The talks come as Ukraine faces renewed Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and as EU states debate using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s economy.

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Global Cities Tighten Hanukkah Security After Sydney Bondi Beach Attack

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Major cities across Europe and the United States have heightened security around Hanukkah celebrations following a deadly shooting at a Jewish holiday event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Authorities in Berlin, London, New York and Warsaw increased police presence at synagogues, public menorah lightings and other Jewish sites as a precaution. The measures come amid concerns over public safety during the religious festival.

In Berlin, police intensified security around the Brandenburg Gate, where a large electric menorah was lit to mark the first night of Hanukkah, with the event also including a prayer for the victims of the Sydney attack. New York Mayor Eric Adams said additional protection was being deployed for synagogues and public celebrations across the city to ensure the Jewish community could observe the holiday safely. In Warsaw, armed security was doubled at the city’s main synagogue, while Polish police reinforced protection around diplomatic missions and places of worship.

London’s Metropolitan Police said it had stepped up patrols and community engagement, despite no indication of a direct threat linked to the Sydney incident. France also ordered stronger security around Jewish institutions during the Hanukkah period, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez calling for increased vigilance at religious services and large public gatherings. The moves underscore broader efforts by authorities to prevent further violence following what Australian officials described as a targeted antisemitic attack.

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Protesters attempt to storm Germany’s Tesla factory

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In Germany, tensions escalated as hundreds of climate protesters clashed with law enforcement while attempting to breach the Tesla factory near Berlin. The demonstrators were rallying against the proposed expansion of Tesla’s only European plant, situated in Grünheide, Brandenburg. Their concerns revolved around potential environmental damage resulting from the factory’s enlargement.

Despite the activists’ efforts, police successfully thwarted their attempts to enter the facility. However, the confrontation led to injuries, including three police officers, and resulted in several arrests. Videos circulating on social media depicted the chaotic scene, with protesters donning blue caps and flags, attempting to overrun the police cordon.

The protest tactics employed by the demonstrators included blocking nearby motorways, disrupting railway services, and staging sit-ins on country roads surrounding the factory. While some managed to breach the police lines, Tesla CEO Elon Musk reassured the public that the facility remained secure. Musk also criticized the leniency shown by law enforcement toward the left-wing protesters.

The group orchestrating the protest, Disrupt Tesla, aimed to draw attention to what they termed “environmental destruction” in Grünheide. Their activism included occupying parts of the forest slated for clearance for the factory expansion, with protesters building tree houses and erecting signs in opposition. Despite the disruptions, Tesla announced that the site would be closed for the day due to the demonstration, with employees allowed to work remotely.

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German politician attacked in library as violence spreads

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In the latest string of assaults targeting German politicians, Franziska Giffey, a prominent figure in the centre-left SPD and former mayor of Berlin, was attacked in a local library. She was struck on the head and neck with a bag containing hard objects. This incident follows several other assaults on politicians and campaign workers, particularly in eastern Germany.

Matthias Ecke, a lead candidate for the upcoming European elections, was seriously injured in Dresden while putting up posters, allegedly attacked by four individuals, at least one of whom has ties to the far right. Additionally, a campaign worker for the Greens was assaulted, and a female Greens politician was pushed and spat on while putting up posters, with the perpetrators reportedly making Nazi salutes.

Giffey expressed shock at the attack, emphasizing the unacceptable trend of violence against those involved in politics. Police have identified a suspect but have not disclosed further details. There’s growing concern among politicians and officials, with calls for better legal protection against such attacks.

Interior ministers from federal and state levels convened to discuss responses to these assaults, acknowledging a worrying escalation in physical violence against politicians. The far-right AfD party, aiming for significant gains in upcoming elections, is embroiled in espionage allegations, adding to the political tensions in Germany.

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